Glasses to people around the world reduce the risk of radiation

Sunglasses should not only be worn during the summer months, according to one expert who has noted that they can provide people with year-round protection.

He explained that cumulative damage caused by unprotected exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation at any time of the year can increase a person's risk of suffering sight-threatening conditions, such as age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.

Dharmesh Patel, chairman of the Eyecare Trust, a registered charity that exists to raise awareness of all aspects of eye health and the importance of regular eyecare, said that sunglasses have many benefits.

It comes after Dan Hasby-Oliver, editor of Last Style of Defense, recently noted that, despite the weather being far from great in 2011, sunglasses provide protection against unseen UV rays, and also look good.

"The Eyecare Trust advises that you should wear sunglasses whenever the UV Index rises above three - this can occur even on a cloudy day, so keep an eye on the Met Office's UV forecast," he recommended.